England may have ended the second day of the enthralling Headingley Test in a good position with the bat, but India are still well and truly in the game, thanks to the sparkling knocks from captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant earlier. Lauding the duo's efforts on Saturday (June 21, 2025), India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak credited them for their plans and execution against the English bowling attack.
Kotak told the media after the end of Day 2 that Gill "worked on certain things" after the Australia tour. "The moment I saw him in the nets, I noticed. A lot of credit to him for analysing and working on things," he said. On Pant, the 52-year-old said that he "makes his own plans". Kotak added: "He decides and he bats. This innings was different. Because he plays aggressively doesn바카라™t mean he can바카라™t play defensively."
At the same time, the batting coach acknowledged that the team management expected the lower-order batters to do a better job than what they came up with on Saturday. "It was a collapse. Batters also got out, we expected better but it can't (always) happen." India went from 430 for three at one stage to 471 all out in the first innings.
He further addressed the three dropped catches off Jasprit Bumrah's bowling, saying it doesn't normally happen.
Meanwhile, England opener Ben Duckett was ecstatic with his team's comeback. "We couldn't have done much more with the ball today. They could have got 600 plus so to bowl them out for under 500 we are pleased. We are in a good spot and if we win the first session tomorrow we are really in this game," Duckett told Sky Sports.
On facing Bumrah in overcast conditions, the southpaw said: "Going out there against the best bowler in the world, it wasn't easy at times. He is world-class. It is hard as an opener as he bowls so many different balls. I tried to play as late as I could but it is tricky. I enjoy that challenge, and getting through the new ball gives you good confidence."
The top-order batter added that he "had goosebumps" when Ollie Pope got his century. "He's such a good bloke and I love batting with him. You go one down early and he comes in and scores a run-a-ball 50. He takes all the pressure off you, he scores quick. He's such a legend and a big part of this team."
And on England's position in the Test, Duckett said it was all about "trying to win each session". He elaborated: "When a side get 471, the first innings is so important. We are in the game and this is a fast-scoring ground. The first session (tomorrow) is the biggest in the whole game. If we win that and keep chipping away at the target, we'll be in a good position."
